Hall of Honor Banquet
April 29, 2026
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the leaders, coaches, athletes, and champions who have shaped the Austin sports community.
The 2026 GASF Hall of Honor Banquet honors individuals whose dedication, integrity, and passion have made a lasting impact on youth athletics and the broader Greater Austin community.
Since 1980, the Greater Austin Sports Foundation has recognized those who have helped build opportunities for the next generation — strengthening character, leadership, and lifelong values through sport.
This special evening will include:
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Honoree video tributes highlighting each inductee’s legacy
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Award presentations recognizing their contributions
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Highlight our 8 Scholar Athletes
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Dinner and community fellowship
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A celebration of the continued mission of GASF
Each honoree represents the spirit of service and excellence that defines athletics in Central Texas. Their influence extends far beyond wins and championships — into mentorship, community building, and lives changed.
Event Details
📅 Wednesday, April 29, 2026
📍 Austin Junior League Community Impact Center
2026 Hall of Honor
Congratulations to this years Hall of Honor Members!
Austin Pole Vault and Throws
Brian Elmore
Brian Elmore is one of the most respected and accomplished pole vault coaches in Texas, with a career defined by elite athlete development, program building, and sustained competitive excellence.
Over decades of coaching, Brian has developed athletes from beginners to national champions, producing an exceptional record of success:
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13 UIL State Champions and 2 UIL Record Holders
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9 Private School Champions and 2 Record Holders
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1 Millrose Games Champion
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2 USATF Junior Olympic Champions and 1 USATF Record Holder
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9 AAU Junior Olympic Champions and 2 AAU Record Holders
His athletes consistently compete and win at the highest levels, reflecting his technical expertise and ability to develop talent across all stages.
At the collegiate level, Brian played a key role in building championship-caliber programs. At the University of Texas, he helped launch the women’s pole vault program from the ground up. Under his guidance, the program quickly rose to national prominence, achieving:
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The first female Big 12 pole vault champion in program history
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Eight consecutive Big 12 Championships
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The program’s first NCAA Pole Vault Champion and NCAA Indoor Record Holder
He also contributed to the success of Huston-Tillotson University, where his athletes earned NAIA indoor and outdoor championships and set program records.
Brian’s influence extends beyond coaching into officiating and leadership within the sport:
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Certified master-level pole vault official
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Officiated the Texas Relays for more than 30 years
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Worked 10 UIL State Championships
His unique perspective as both a coach and official has helped shape the standards of competition and athlete preparation in Texas.
As Head Coach of Austin Pole Vault (APV) since 2018, Brian continues to develop the next generation of athletes. In recent years alone, he has helped more than 45 athletes advance to compete at the collegiate level.
Brian Elmore’s career is defined by consistency, expertise, and a commitment to athlete development. His impact can be seen in the championships won, the programs built, and the hundreds of athletes he has helped reach their full potential—making him one of the most influential figures in the sport of pole vaulting.
LBJ Basketball
Freddie Roland
Freddie Roland is one of the most respected and influential high school basketball coaches in Austin, Texas, known for building a championship-caliber program while developing generations of student-athletes both on and off the court.
As the longtime head coach at LBJ High School, Coach Roland transformed the Jaguars into one of the premier basketball programs in Central Texas. His teams consistently competed at the highest level, highlighted by deep playoff runs and a state championship appearance that brought statewide recognition to the program.
Under his leadership, LBJ became known for its discipline, toughness, and team-first mentality—hallmarks of Roland’s coaching philosophy.
Coach Roland’s influence extends far beyond wins and losses. Throughout his career, he has developed countless student-athletes, many of whom have gone on to play at the collegiate level and beyond.
His commitment to fundamentals, accountability, and preparation has helped shape players not only into successful athletes, but into leaders within their schools and communities.
For decades, Coach Roland has been a cornerstone of the Austin basketball community. His dedication to the game and his players has earned him the respect of fellow coaches, officials, and administrators across the state.
His ability to build relationships, mentor young athletes, and sustain competitive excellence has made him a model for high school coaching.
Coach Roland’s impact has been widely recognized, including honors celebrating his leadership during LBJ’s state tournament run and his lasting contributions to the program.
His legacy is defined by consistency, integrity, and a commitment to developing young men through the game of basketball. The culture he built at LBJ continues to influence the program and the broader Austin basketball community.
USAV Leader in Volleyball award winner
Gloria Cox
Gloria Cox has dedicated more than four decades to the sport of volleyball as one of Texas’ most respected officials, leaders, and educators. Her influence spans high school, collegiate, and national levels, where she has helped shape the standards of officiating and the development of the game.
Since joining the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) in 1982, Gloria has played a pivotal role in advancing volleyball officiating across the state. Her leadership includes:
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Former TASO Volleyball President
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Longtime member of the TASO Volleyball Board and All-Sports Board
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Current ex-officio board member
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UIL and TASO Texas State Rule Interpreter
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Annual contributor at the UIL State Volleyball Tournament
Gloria officiated hundreds of high school matches throughout her career, including multiple UIL State Championship matches, earning a reputation for excellence, consistency, and professionalism.
Gloria’s impact extended to the collegiate level for nearly three decades, including:
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27 years officiating in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
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20 years in the Big 12 Conference
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25 years in the Southland Conference
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Additional assignments in the Sun Belt and Conference USA
She officiated numerous NCAA postseason matches and was among the first selected as a Volleyball Review Referee for the SEC, contributing to the evolution of officiating at the highest level.
Through her work with USA Volleyball (USAV) and the Lone Star Region, Gloria has played a critical role in the organization and growth of the sport:
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Junior Development Director, overseeing 400–500 sanctioned events annually
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Responsible for tracking and managing over 120 national championship bids each season
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Member of the Lone Star Region Board of Directors
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Representative at USAV National Meetings
She also serves as Head Referee for major national tournaments, including the Lone Star Classic—one of the largest qualifiers in the country—overseeing operations for events with up to 120 courts.
Gloria has been instrumental in developing officials nationwide and internationally:
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Conducted training seminars across the country for the National Federation of High Schools and USA Volleyball
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Led camps and certification programs for officials
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Member of the USAV National Rating Team, evaluating referee advancement
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Provided international training for U.S. Armed Forces personnel in Europe
Her mentorship has helped elevate the quality and consistency of officiating, impacting generations of referees and athletes.
Gloria Cox’s career is defined by her leadership, service, and lasting contributions to volleyball. Her work has strengthened the sport at every level—from local courts to national championships—making her one of the most influential figures in volleyball officiating in Texas and beyond.
University of Texas
Jan Todd
Dr. Jan Todd is a pioneering force in strength sports and sports history, whose impact spans elite athletic achievement, academic leadership, and the preservation of women’s contributions to sport. Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in powerlifting, she has helped shape both the competitive landscape and the historical narrative of strength athletics.
Jan Todd was one of the first internationally recognized female powerlifters, competing at a time when opportunities for women in strength sports were extremely limited.
Her accomplishments include:
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Multiple world championships in powerlifting
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Setting numerous world records throughout her competitive career
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Becoming the first woman to officially lift the legendary Dinnie Stones, a feat long considered one of the ultimate tests of strength
Her success helped redefine what was possible for women in strength sports and brought global attention to female athletes in powerlifting.
Beyond competition, Dr. Todd has played a critical role in advancing the sport of powerlifting and strength athletics:
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Advocate for the growth and recognition of women’s strength sports
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Contributor to the development and organization of competitive powerlifting
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Leader in promoting opportunities for female athletes at all levels
Her influence has helped expand participation and elevate the visibility of strength sports worldwide.
As a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Todd has combined her passion for sport with academic leadership. She is the longtime director of the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, one of the world’s leading research centers dedicated to the study of strength, fitness, and sports history.
Through her work at the Stark Center, she has:
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Preserved and expanded one of the most comprehensive archives of strength and physical culture history
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Led groundbreaking research on the history of women in sport
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Helped rewrite and elevate the recognition of female athletes whose contributions were historically overlooked
Dr. Todd is widely respected as an educator, author, and speaker, sharing her expertise on strength sports and sports history across the country and internationally. Her work has influenced scholars, coaches, and athletes, bridging the gap between athletic performance and academic understanding.
Jan Todd’s legacy is defined by strength—in competition, in leadership, and in advancing opportunity. From world records in powerlifting to reshaping the historical narrative of women in sports, her contributions have had a lasting impact on both athletics and academia.
Her induction into the Hall of Honor recognizes a career that has elevated the sport, empowered athletes, and preserved the history of strength for generations to come.
Event Details
Attire: Business Casual
We invite guests to dress in business casual attire for an evening that is both celebratory and community-focused.
Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction:
The evening will begin with a Pre-Event Cocktail Hour featuring a silent auction. Guests will enjoy time to connect, network, and bid on exclusive items while supporting youth athletics in Greater Austin.
Program & Dinner:
Following the cocktail hour, guests will enjoy a seated, catered dinner as part of the formal Hall of Honor program. The evening will be hosted by Bob Ballou, bringing energy and professionalism to this special celebration.
Supporting the Mission:
All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Greater Austin Sports Foundation, helping expand access to youth sports programs and continue honoring those who have shaped athletics in our community.
We look forward to an inspiring evening of celebration, connection, and impact.
Presenting Sponsor
$10,000
Scholar Athlete Sponsors
$7,500
PRESENTED BY:
Town and Country Sports
Next50 Campaign
Honoring Kathy Manning
2026 Scholar Athletes
The Greater Austin Sports Foundation is proud to recognize the 2026 Scholar Athletes—an exceptional group of young leaders who represent far more than athletic achievement. These individuals have distinguished themselves not only in competition, but in the classroom, in their communities, and in the way they lead and serve others.
This honor celebrates student-athletes who embody discipline, character, and a commitment to excellence in every area of life. They are the future of our community and the next generation of leaders—many of whom we believe will one day return as Hall of Honor inductees themselves.
Each Scholar Athlete will be recognized at the Hall of Honor Banquet, where we will celebrate their accomplishments and award one Male and one Female Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Pre Game Cocktail Sponsors
$5,000
As the Pre-Game Cocktail Hour Sponsor for the 2026 GASF Hall of Honor Banquet, your organization will be prominently featured during one of the most engaging and highly attended portions of the evening.
Your Pre-Game Cocktail Hour Sponsorship Includes:
• One premier reserved table with eight (8) seats
• Exclusive recognition as the Pre-Game Cocktail Hour Sponsor
• Prominent logo display in the cocktail hour area and bar stations
• Logo placement on the event website and promotional materials
• Recognition in the printed event program
• Public acknowledgment during the evening program
This sponsorship offers elevated visibility while directly supporting the Greater Austin Sports Foundation’s mission to strengthen youth athletics in our community.
We appreciate your leadership and partnership.
Fan Club Sponsors
$2,500
As a Fan Club Sponsor for the 2026 GASF Hall of Honor Banquet, your partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting youth athletics and honoring the leaders who have shaped the Austin sports community.
Your Fan Club Sponsorship Includes:
• One reserved table with eight (8) seats
• Enhanced logo recognition at the event
• Logo placement on the event website and promotional materials
• Recognition in the printed event program
• Public acknowledgment during the evening program
Your support helps expand opportunities for young athletes across Greater Austin while aligning your organization with a mission rooted in leadership, character, and community impact.
We are grateful for your continued investment in youth sports.
Table Sponsors
$1,500
As a Table Sponsor for the 2026 GASF Hall of Honor Banquet, your support directly fuels the mission of the Greater Austin Sports Foundation while positioning your organization as a champion of youth athletics in our community.
Your Table Sponsorship Includes:
• One reserved table with eight (8) seats
• Prominent logo recognition at the event
Your partnership helps us continue investing in opportunities that impact young athletes across Greater Austin — building character, leadership, and lifelong values through sport.
We are grateful for your leadership and commitment to our community.